Pictures courtesy of the Prescott National Forest -Lower Wolf Creek Campground.
Campground Overview:
Lower Wolf Creek Campground is located along the banks of Wolf Creek on the Prescott National Forest. The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres. Arizona walnut and live-oaks are interspersed among the ponderosa pines in this boulder-strewn campground that was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. Although the wolves are all gone, Lower Wolf Creek Campground is still a great place to start rewilding yourself and recharging your batteries with some forest vibes, clean air, and quiet unpolluted land. Explore, relax, repeat.
Campsites:
Lower Wolf Creek Campground includes 20 campsites. Each campsite has a picnic table, steel fire ring and/or concrete block grill, and either an established tent pad or an area for a tent. Vault toilets and garbage service is available, but water is not.
From Prescott take the Senator Highway (Mt. Vernon Avenue) south for about 6 miles. You will pass the entrance to Goldwater Lake and the community of Groom Creek. The pavement will end about 500 feet before you reach Forest Road 97. Turn right onto Forest Road 97 and travel for another 1.25 miles to the campground on the left side of the road. Forest Road 97 is unpaved but is suitable for all vehicles during dry road conditions.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Semi-Developed |
Season: |
May – October |
Nearby City: |
Prescott |
Fishing: |
None |
Campground Website: |
Lower Wolf Creek Campground |
Campground Map: |
N/A |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Prescott National Forest is comprised of about 1.25 million acres, and borders three other National Forests in Arizona: Kaibab, Coconino, and Tonto. Roughly half of the forest lies west of the city of Prescott, Arizona, in the Juniper, Santa Maria, Sierra Prieta, and Bradshaw Mountains. The other half of the Forest lies east of Prescott and takes in the Black Hills, Mingus Mountain, Black Mesa, and the headwaters of the Verde River.
A few miles Northeast of Prescott sits the Granite Basin Recreation Area, which is nestled among pines and boulders of Prescott’s iconic Granite Mountain. The Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities year-round including: hiking, backpacking, horse riding, non-motorized boating, rock climbing, fishing, camping, and picnicking. Within the region are several day-use areas, and Granite Basin Lake, which is known for channel catfish, large-mouth bass, and sunfish. Rising prominently north of Granite Basin Lake is Granite Mountain at 6,874 feet. The Granite Mountain Wilderness Area is comprised of the mountain’s rugged topography and mixed vegetation suite. (Click Here for Map of Area)
Southeast of downtown Prescott is Lynx Lake Recreation Area. Lynx Lake is an immensely popular area in the Prescott National Forest that offers a variety of recreation opportunities for all age groups. Activities include fishing, boating, and hiking among others. West of Prescott, is the Thumb Butte Recreation Area. Its 6,515-foot prominence is quite visible in the Prescott Basin. The Thumb Butte area is one of the most popular destinations on the Prescott National Forest. Mild weather, cool ponderosa pine forest, a comfortable picnic area, and a variety of trails that offer hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers many routes to explore. (Click Here for Map)
The City of Prescott, nestled at an elevation of 5,200′ feet above sea level amongst the largest stand of ponderosa pine forests in the U.S., Prescott’s perfect weather provides an average temperature of 70 degrees, with four beautiful and distinct seasons, and breathtaking landscapes complete with granite mountains, lakes, streams, and rolling meadows filled with wildlife.
Once the territorial capital of the state, Prescott is rich with history embodied in its world famous Whiskey Row and abundant historical landmarks. Whether you’re seeking to relax in a natural environment filled with beauty and wildlife, or the history of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and cowboy forays in the most famous saloons of the Old West, check out the True West and Real Adventure.
The city provides numerous recreational opportunities including three lakes: Watson, Willow, and Goldwater Lake. Each have unique qualities and recreation opportunities including boating, fishing, birdwatching and hiking. The city also manages numerous hiking trails around the city. The Granite Dells can be seen along the hiking trails around Watson Lake and are worth the trip. (Click here for more information about Prescott recreation)
Nearby Campgrounds:
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
